SCHUYLERVILLE >> They say duct tape can fix anything, and for the crafty and innovative contestants at the Hudson Crossing Park 10th Annual Cardboard Boat Race, it was what kept them afloat.

Each year, people gather at the Fort Hardy Park Beach in Schuylerville and spend a day watching the races. Contestants crafted their vessels out of a base of cardboard and the rest was up to the builders. Designs ranged from a pirate ship to a Sharknado and just about anything in between.

This year’s theme was “A Day at The Beach,” celebrating the opening of the Schuylerville Beach 80 years ago in 1934.

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Gerry Lalonde of Fort Edward is a return racer and crafted a pink princess-themed schooner, as per his daughter’s wish. They sealed the outside in a coat of pale pink latex paint with lavender accents, a little different from their dragon-themed entry last year.

“Finishing is the best and hardest part. We finished last year and that’s what we want to do this year,” he said.

The Lalonde’s boat made it past the finish line, but not everyone was so lucky. Many boats capsized before even getting into the race, but there was a prize for all. Those who tipped won the “Titanic” prize.

Larger boats were fashioned out of big-screen television and refrigerator boxes and some were built piece-by-piece from cardboard remnants sealed with layers of colorful duct tape latex paint. They resembled anything from kayaks to sailboats and even an octopus.

Boaters had a designated starting spot on shore and the goal was simple – make it back around the bend with the boat intact.

“All they have to do is float and make it back, some never make it and some hold up for years. But it’s always a great time for all,” said Marlene Bissell, an advisory board member for Hudson Crossing Park.

Races were split into categories for kids and adults and some for pre-built boats and many were built right at the park that day. The last race of the day was for everybody, but it included some hefty competition – most sailors to stay afloat. The record grows every year. Emergency crews stayed out at the turning point and occasionally assisted sunken sailors back to shore.

“It’s always a great event we get more and more people every year. People have so much fun and it also promotes sustainability,” Bissell said.

Judges watched the races from a nearby gazebo making notes of creativity, speed and overall enthusiasm and no one left without some recognition. An announcer bellowed each competition in between snippets of “Rock the Boat.”

Organizers said they do a car count each year to gauge attendance and even before “post time,” they already had counted 170 cars, up 40 from last year.